Ratchet and Bumblebee [Cyberworld Energon Surge/Armored Cyber Changers]

@robfromzonebase Ratchet [Transformers Cyberworld Energon Surge/Armored Cyber Changers] #zonebase #transformers #cyberworld #energonsurge #cyberchangers ♬ 苦悩の聖人 (Saint of Suffering) - Akuma Dollz

Last year when I was writing about "season 1" of Cyberworld toys, I regularly took note of what felt like a missing gimmick with all the Cyber Changers having multiple ports. I was also never super fond of the Armored Cyber Changers' "armored" parts, which were essentially larger Mech Tech-style weapons. I didn't hate them, but I rarely felt like they actually fit the toys.

Now, with the new Energon Surge figures, the phantom gimmick and the Armored Cyber Changers are here, and it's awesome.

Like with the new Armored Cyber Changer Megatron we looked at a little bit back, the gimmick is built into the new Energon Surge Armored Cyber Changers Ratchet and Bumblebee, and it just makes me love Armored Cyber Changers instead of simply accepting them as a way to mark up a toy's price. Not to mention, now under the Energon Surge sub-line, the Cyber Changers have wonderful translucent plastic parts that look absolutely amazing.

The colorful clear plastic, of course, reminds me of Microman/Micronauts, and the new armored parts really make me think of 2000s Microman toys. Of course, being Cyber Changers, the articulation isn't anywhere near as extensive, but it's impossible for me not to make that comparison.

I could also make a comparison to the energy weapons from Transformers Energon, and guys... I love this type of gimmick. Translucent plastic looks amazing, even on more simple figures like these.

Bumblebee is a recolor of the first Armored Cyber Changer Bumblebee we've already talked about here. This version feels more like an upgrade, as those new translucent blue parts just pop on the mold, looking a million times better than the original.

His new Energon Surge armor parts include two blade blaster style weapons, two energy stinger style parts, and a large shield/backpack piece. These can be used in multiple ways. I've leaned into using the large piece more as a jetpack than a shield, with the stinger parts as armor and the blade blasters as guns... unless he needs to cut a fool.

The blade blasters can become wings as well, making me use the parts similarly to Macross booster parts for his car mode. It's a modular design, so you can really get creative with it.

It's worth noting that you can combine these parts with the ones from other toys.

Go nuts.

Ratchet is a new mold and a really fun one at that. Instead of changing into his traditional ambulance alt mode, Ratchet converts into a rescue helicopter. That's a neat little touch of variety that gives Ratchet a more exciting look.

The chevron on his helmet is orange, which contrasts nicely with the white and translucent blue that makes up the majority of him. It makes me think of the Powerlinks Red Alert toy from Armada, which has always been a deco I've liked.

Part of me wonders—and hopes—this toy will get more green in the future for a Cyberworld version of Medix.

Ratchet's Armored parts actually work nicely with his helicopter mode, forming jet boosters and rocket pods. Additionally, there are two large bladed bits that look cool, and now that I think of it, they probably would have made more sense if I'd plugged them into the rear section of the helicopter rather than making wings with them.

Oh well.

@robfromzonebase Bumblebee [Transformers Cyberworld Energon Surge/Armored Cyber Changers] #zonebase #transformers #cyberworld #energonsurge #cyberchangers ♬ One Shot TV size Theme Song of "KAMEN RIDER MY-TH" - THE RAMPAGE from EXILE TRIBE

This is seemingly an all-new mold and engineering, so I wonder where it'll resurface? The bits that the helicopter's blades are connected to can be detached, and part of me finds that base body similar enough to a motorcycle without wheels.

As creative as these designers have been with the shared engineering, I'm looking forward to something unexpected.

Part of me can't help but compare the Energon Surge armor parts to the upgrades your ship gets in a shooter game. Like, Ratchet is flying into action and, just because Cyberworld is a video game, he's blasting little floating capsules and adding onto his firepower.In robot mode, the armored bits can make for some nicely dramatic... armor. They can be held as well as plugged in, so get creative. Those big-ass blades, though, make for some sharp ornamentation for Ratchet, giving him some serious super robot energy.

It's really awesome for me to see the Armored Cyber Changers stepping up and bringing that gimmick that the line always felt designed for into Cyberworld. I've said it before, and I'll say it again: Cyber Changers feel like the continuation of the Beast Alliance toys that I had such a good time with a few years ago, and it's good to see something like a line-wide gimmick.

I'm hopeful they continue with more fun things like this, or even expand it with even more cool stuff.

Because apparently all these ports were just waiting for someone to finally say, "You know what? Let's put some crazy shit in there."

And I'm absolutely here for it.

Airachnid and Energon Surge Off Road Bumblebee [Cyberworld/Armored Cyber Changers and Cyber Changers]

@robfromzonebase Airachnid [Transformers Cyberworld/Armored Cyber Changers] There's lots of spiders in Transformers and this one has a little Convertors evergy (that's a good thing). #zonebase #cyberchangers #hasbro #cyberchangers #cyberworld ♬ Children of the Night - NECRONOMIDOL

It felt so good to finally get my hands on an Airachnid Armored Cyber Changer after chasing one for what felt like forever. She was the last of the "Season 1" Transformers Cyberworld toys I needed on my quest to complete the line and blog the entire thing here on Zone Base.

Airachnid (no, she's not Black Arachnia) makes sporadic appearances toward the end of the first season in a role that isn't entirely villainous for a Decepticon. One of the things I really enjoy about Cyberworld is that the line in the sand isn't always clearly drawn. Considering the episodes only run about five to ten minutes, they could have easily just been nonstop action scenes. Instead, they're surprisingly competent little cartoons.

This version of Airachnid is also quite a bit different from her previous incarnations. In Transformers Prime she was an extremely villainous schemer, while in Transformers One she served as Sentinel Prime's sneering right-hand enforcer and leader of the Death Trackers. There's an ongoing rumor that this version was originally intended to be Crasher from GoBots. Whether that's true or not, who knows? It's a fun coincidence considering how often I compare Cyber Changers to Machine Robo toys anyway. Here, Airachnid is more of a scientist and actually helps the Autobots probe Optimus Prime's memories in an effort to better understand the Cyberworld and why they've all ended up there... which naturally leads to more drama.

As a toy, Airachnid shares her engineering with Chop Shop, although nearly all of the sculpting appears to be unique. Being an Armored Cyber Changer, she also comes with the oversized MechTech-style weapon/armor thing that Chop Shop included.

Interestingly, Airachnid already has an upcoming Energon Surge version that features an entirely different weapon/armor thing. Combined with the fact that its product number is actually lower than the standard release we're looking at today, it's led to speculation that this version may have been rushed into the original assortment while the intended accessories were still being finalized. Since Airachnid was the only new figure in her wave before later being repacked, the theory isn't impossible.

If nothing else, it's fun to speculate.

As her name suggests, Airachnid transforms into a spider, and that beast mode influences nearly every aspect of her robot design. It makes for a wonderfully creepy-looking robot, making her a perfect Spooky Beast Summer entry.

Despite the inherent simplicity of Cyber Changers, she has a ton of personality. Like every other Cyber Changer, she shares the standard size and articulation, but thanks to her spider mode she has a completely different silhouette. The spider legs remain attached to her arms and even swivel slightly, adding just a little extra articulation.

One particularly fun accessory is the pair of front spider legs with an integrated chain gun. They can either attach at her navel or be held awkwardly as a handheld weapon. Transformation is exactly what you'd expect from the line—quick, easy, and largely handled through the auto-morphing gimmick.

Spider mode is fantastic. The colors work really well, and I especially like those front legs with the chain gun.

Of course, Cyber Changers constantly make me think about older toy lines. Airachnid immediately reminds me of an early Beast Wars Basic figure, while her shared engineering with Chop Shop still brings Creepy from GoBots to mind. Honestly, I'd love to see this mold repainted into the old Happy Meal Transmetal Black Arachnia. The sculpt is surprisingly close, especially with the spider legs hanging from her arms.

Then my brain starts wandering.

The spider mode makes me think of Armored Insect Corps Beetras. The colors remind me of Convertors. I also keep comparing her to Phobia from Zoids Wild. If I hadn't just moved and packed Phobia away, I'd have loved to photograph the two of them together.

Phobia would've been a great name for this toy.

@robfromzonebase Bumblebee (Off-Road) [Transformers Cyberworld Energon Surge/Cyber Changers] My quest to blog all the Cyberworld continues with the slightly Microman vibed Energon Surge series. #zonebase #transformers #cyberworld #hasbro #cyberchangers ♬ CORNDOG! - RinRin

Of course, as the title says, we're also talking about Energon Surge Off Road Bumblebee.

This is my first Energon Surge figure, and I absolutely love him.

It's pretty obvious this is simply the Off Road Bumblebee Cyber Changer I reviewed previously with a slightly different color layout, so I'll link to that review for anyone wanting a more detailed look. Since I'm trying to blog the entire Cyberworld line, though, I still wanted to cover the differences here. Because.

Thankfully, these toys are inexpensive, so buying another version of a figure I already own doesn't bother me. It comes with the territory. 

The biggest and most obvious difference is that translucent blue torso, which immediately makes me compare Cyberworld to Microman and Micronauts even more than I already do. There's also a bit of glow-in-the-dark paint on his shoulders.

When an Energon Surge figure is connected to the Power Spark Bumblebee, the electronics light up. That light charges the glow-in-the-dark paint, causing it to glow afterward. It's a really fun little play feature.

Obviously, it's a gimmick designed for kids.

What's funny is just how many adult Transformers fans have embraced Cyberworld anyway, despite there already being countless collector-focused lines aimed directly at us.

I think that just goes to show what the right combination of affordability and fun can accomplish.

Bumblebee (Devastation) [Studio Series/Deluxe Class]

Transformers: Devastation was one of those games that came in hot, got a ton of fanfare, and then kind of slipped into obscurity. Lately it’s been getting a bit more attention again, and I’m pretty happy to see that version of Bumblebee finally get a toy.

Admittedly, it’s still your standard Bumblebee at its core—but I like this variation a lot.

Instead of the classic VW Bug, he’s got that sporty hatchback look, which I’ve always felt was a great modern equivalent. Add in the cell-shaded style deco, and it ends up being a pretty slick take on a familiar design.

A big part of why I like this one is how much it resembles the 2006 Transformers Classics Bumblebee, which served as a base for his design in the game. Even 20 years later, Classics is still a high point for me, so that connection goes a long way.

I initially thought this might be a retool of the Studio Series 86 Bumblebee, but that doesn’t seem to be the case. In robot mode, he’s armed with twin blasters like in the game, along with a larger vehicle-mode blaster mounted on his back. It gives him a much more aggressive look than you’d normally expect from a “kid appeal” character.

Transformation is pretty straightforward, though some of the parts fit a bit tight. Be careful when folding the head into place—I’ve seen reports that the molded copyright info can scrape the paint on his nose.

In vehicle mode, he turns into a clean little hatchback. The large blaster mounts on the roof, with the smaller ones on the sides for a bit of vehicular combat flair.

Overall, this is a simple, solid figure. Good articulation, decent firepower, and a really nice-looking alt mode. The cel-shaded deco does a lot of the heavy lifting, and I’m just happy to have a strong take on Bumblebee from a game that deserves a little more love.

Bumblebee [BMK Series 1]

If it’s not completely obvious, Yolopark started their BMK range with the old standbys — classic Transformers characters recognizable to everyone. While I know it’s uber cool to pretend to only like deep cuts… I like the main guys too. I’m also not cool, and I’m cool with that. Not to mention, I love classic Bumblebee.

Spending a little time with him in this BMK kit is exactly what I needed after a hectic few weeks.

BMK stands for Beginner Model Kit, and that’s very obvious when assembling one. Ideally, these are for a younger audience, but as I’ve said before, they’re just right for a future display I have in mind. They’re solid representations of classic characters at a pleasant size — exactly what I’m looking for.

So far, all the BMK kits I’ve assembled have followed the same general format. You’ve got a torso piece that includes the character’s waist and legs down to the knees. The lower legs, arms, and head are separate pieces that snap into place to complete the build. It’s done in seconds — maybe minutes if you’ve got some tight joints or distractions, like an insane cat going nuts while you’re trying to do something.

That was me. Her name is Miso, and she’s a tiny force of nature.

Cat chaos aside, Bumblebee looks great once assembled. His arms and head have a decent range of motion, and while the legs are mostly static, there’s a swivel at the knee and an ankle joint that give his stance a little life.

Bumblebee comes with his pistol — something you might catch him using if you flip across the Transformers channel. It’s an iconic look for him, even though his original toy never had a weapon.

Completed, it’s a nice, satisfying Bumblebee that looks like he just stepped off the screen. I’m really liking this BMK display idea of mine… now I just need to make some more progress on that room organization.

Autobot Bumper [Age of the Primes / Target Exclusive 4-Pack]

"I am the Ghost of Christmas Past."

The grumpy one then made bold to inquire what business brought him there. “Your spark!” said the Ghost. The grumpy one expressed himself much obliged, but couldn’t help thinking that a night of unbroken rest would have been more conducive to that end. The Spirit must have heard him thinking, for it said immediately: “Your reclamation, then. Take heed! For the seeds of the future lie buried in the past."

Bumper is an oddball Transformers who’s been around since the beginning but has only really been a character for about the past 20 years. As has been said more times than necessary, the bulk of the original Transformers toys from 1984/1985 came from Diaclone and Microman molds. Bumblebee and Cliffjumper specifically came from the Microman Micro Change line. They shared engineering — essentially the same toy skeleton with different car parts and robot heads.

Another robot from that Micro Change series was MC-04 Mini CAR Robo 02 Familia 1500XG. Same engineering again, but transforming into a Mazda Familia 1500XG as the name suggests. All of these toys came in multiple colors, but it’s common to see this one in yellow. When the molds were used for Transformers, Bumblebee and Cliffjumper were released in their familiar yellow and red. Though, as many know, reversed-color versions also slipped out. During that weird early era, the Mazda mold ended up released in Cliffjumper packaging in yellow. Rumors persist that it also came in Bumblebee packaging, but no packaged sample has ever surfaced, while Cliffjumper-labeled ones are plentiful.

Plenty of speculation says Hasbro may have intended the Mazda toy to be its own character and that’s what caused the weird release — but nobody knows for sure now. It’s just one of those oddities from the strange early years of Transformers. Multiple toy lines mashed together to create a single brand. It’s been 41 years and we’re still discovering things from that time. The toy was widely known as “Bumblejumper” in the fandom for years, eventually shortened to Bumper by some. During the Dreamwave comics era, he was made an official character and officially named Bumper. Twenty years after being released seemingly by mistake, he finally became part of the team!

Bumper has always been special to me. Not just because getting one back in the day meant a lot, but also because I once had a cat named Bumper. I remember bringing that kitten home from the store, watching him roam around the living room while I tried to think of a name. I wanted a Transformers name… let’s see… Eject… Swerve… BONK! He walked head-first into the wall. Bumper. And that was that. All these years later, Bumper finally gets an official toy actually named Bumper — only his second ever. Imagine how slighted he must feel.

The figure itself is a remold/repaint of Studio Series 86 Bumblebee. I talked about that figure in a prior post, so most of the ins and outs are there, but let’s look at what makes Bumper different. Obviously he has a new head sculpt faithful to the original Micro Change toy. It’s hard to notice without comparing them directly, but he’s a different shade of yellow. Headlights are colored a little differently. His Autobot symbol has a silver border, making it look more like the stickers from the original toys — a nice touch I really appreciate, probably thanks to my early-2000s Mini-Bot obsession. It wasn’t uncommon to see one in my messenger bag back then. These days a Legion/Legend Class Bumblebee lives in my sling bag. Guess some things never change.

When Studio Series Bumblebee released, a lot of fans scoffed at his very angular car mode. Robot mode was perfect, but the car was off-model from the classic VW Bug. As Bumper though, it works so much better. Not exactly a Mazda Familia… but close enough. I really like this toy, and that carries over here. Guess I just like these guys. Bumper has the same gun as Bumblebee, now molded in a gunmetal color. It can store on his backside in car mode. It’s probably no surprise that I like this toy — the base mold is one I already loved, and the old-school fan in me appreciates the new Bumper figure even more. I spent more time looking at the past than the present with this one, but a toy like Bumper is the type that makes you look back.

Bumblebee [Cyberworld/Cyber Changers]

Bumblebee is one of those characters in Transformers that ever since the 2007 is guaranteed to get a bunch of toys in every line. We're generally all for that here at Zone Base as we love him. This incarnation is a particularly neat variation of him from Transformers Cyberworld. Here, Bumblebee transforms into an off-road rally car. This isn't too unlike his appearance in Rise of the Beasts or the unreleased game Reactivate. Actually, the look is very similar to the Reactivate design.

Bumblebee's head is based on the original G1 toy's face plate design, we're used to that being referred to as his battle mask as new incarnations have incorporated it that way. It looks really rad usually. This sculpt is fucking dope. Part of me wishes it was another character so there would be more attention to it. He hasn't appeared in the cartoon in this body yet, but considering Optimus also has an off-road version, I'm guessing it's a power-up in an upcoming episode. Of course this is your standard Cyber Changer, so articulation and proportions are to be expected. I really like this on. It just looks awesome, even for a simple figure.

Transformation is the standard Cyber Changer car scheme. It's simple, easy, and gets the job done satisfactorily. I like this car and once again wish it was another character so more attention would get paid to it. A little more paint would benefit this toy a whole lot. It's a cool design and the idea of it in translucent plastic crossed my mind as I was writing this and makes me mentally salivate. That would be awesome. Hopefully Takara gets a hold of these molds at some point, they'd likely do such things with them. EZ-Collection DX?

Bumblebee [Cyberworld/Armored Cyber Changers]

In the Cyberworld, Bumblebee finds himself in some challenging predicaments. As an Armored Cyber Changer, he's packing a big gun that he acquired in a loot box around episode 3. It's uh... normal gun sized in the show. It's also worth nothing, Optimus gets his traditional energy axe in the same episode, but the toy doesn't come with one. I really wonder what all got left on the drawing board with this series.

Of course an Armored Cyber Changer is a Cyber Changer toy with a big honking accessory, which is the big gun I was just talking about. It's kinda neat, if a little hard to describe. Basically, it's a big... block with two bladed weapons plugged into the sides. The bladed weapons can sit to the side or be positioned on top of the block, which is suggested as intended for vehicle mode. The blades can detach and held individually or plugged into the sides of his arms. When doing this, the block can store on his back and kind of looks like a jet pack. To be honest, I'm a little confused by this gun as it's basically a bunch of parts stuck together. There's a peg in the front which makes me wonder if a gimmick of combining these was planned. Just like the ports along the Cyber Changer bodies. Either something using them was planned... or is on the way. I think the gun works better in vehicle mode, just seems to fit naturally.

Bumblebee looks to be in the standard 'car bot' template that according to leaks will be the norm. Like the other Cyber Changers, he's firmly in the uniformity of the line. I really like that uniformity with these Cyber Chagers and I can't quite place why. Articulation is basic, yet serviceable. Articulation for arms at shoulders, legs at waist with knee joints. They're satisfyingly simple. Bumblebee (and other car bots) makes me think of G2 toys like Rapido, Gobots, Drench, Deluge, etc. There's a similarity despite having a little more articulation. I'd love to see some of those characters in Cyberworld. I really like Bumblebee's sculpt, though it's a little hidden in the yellow. I'm sure customizers out there will paint theirs up to bring out that detail.

Transformation is easy and goes exactly the way you'd expect. Sports car mode is blocky and reminds me a little of Armada Hot Shot. As mentioned prior, the gun looks a lot better in vehicle mode and with those ports can be used in a variety of ways. I swear there's a modular play pattern that isn't completely pointed out for some reason. I understand Cyberworld isn't going to be for everyone, but I'm loving it's creative designs and satisfyingly simple toys. Bumblebee is the first of the standard Autobot car bot and leads as a positive example. I'm really looking forward to future cars that follow.

B-127 [Studio Series/Deluxe Class]

It's a shame Transformers One didn't do as great in the theaters as it's been doing on streaming. Not only was it a great film, but it's got some great toys. I had been putting off getting the Studio Series B-127 for a little while now. Not because I didn't want to get one, but because there was always a lot of them at my stores. So I felt like I could take my time. That turned out to be a good idea as my local Target had him on sale for $12 (which is what a deluxe would have cost in 2012), which was the universe telling me to just buy the thing already. I'm glad I did, because not only was the price great, but the toy is pretty great too. That's the second time I've said something was great and great too. Sometimes you've just got to repeat yourself.

As you already know, this is the Studio Series version of B-127 from Transformers One. As a Studio Series figure, it's nicer than the Prime Changers one I talked about last year. Considering that was already a pretty good toy, nicer should say something. It's more detailed, more solid, more accessories, just better all the way around. Back in the day (and sometimes still today), you'd often see 'STD' and 'DX' on robot toys. It was there to clarify which one was the standard toy (STD) and which was the deluxe model (DX). Studio Series versions are pretty much the DX versions and I'm sure companies have thought twice about putting the term STD on a toy box. B-127 now has more accessories. Instead of just one hand blaster and knife hand attachment, there's two. He's also got a Tracker rifle, one of those generic guns I've been enjoying to talk about with the TF One Blokees. It's neat that he's got so many accessories, as most deluxe class Transformers only have one or two.

He transforms into his Cybertronian car pretty easily, though there is definitely some spots where everything has to be just right. There's just not much wiggle room for error. In car mode he looks as he should, like he did in the movie... which is the point of the figure and how it looks overall. I do like how the weapon storage in vehicle mode makes the car more heavy duty looking overall. It's small, but neat. I wonder who else they could make from this mold that would take advantage of that? I know that I make a lot of comparisons to Microman when talking about modern Transformers, but I feel like one is warranted here. This is another case of the family tree is very evident in the toys design.  I can honestly envision a Takara version using chromed colors (like they did with Transformers Animated) that would make the comparison even stronger. Out of the three B-127 toys I've talked about here, all have been winners. This one is definitely the most premium one of them so far... or should I say DX?

B-127 [Galaxy Version 05-One]

It's time to look at another series of Blokees here on Zone Base. Specifically Galaxy Version 05- One, which by the name should clue you in that we're talking a series based on Transformers One. TF One was very popular among the Transformers fan base and so are Blokees. This is a match made in heaven! I was very thankful to find the case on Easter Morning as a gift from the Mrs. She had put each kit inside a large egg and hid them through the house! Not only was it fun finding the eggs, but it was a big surprise to see what was inside! We're going to begin out exploration of this new case with B-127, which of course is Bumbelee's name prior to his arrival to Earth in newer fictional settings. This kit features B (or Badassatron) without his Cog, which had a really strong resemblance to Megaman X the more I look at it. Maybe I'll get an extra and do a custom one day.

As cool as B-127 looks, he's also a good starting point for this series as he's as good example of the newer construction this series has. This series seems to be the start of a new design for the Galaxy Version that results in a sturdier finished product. As much as I've loved what came before, this feels like a much more solid figure after the kit had been built. Not to mention two specific points I've never enjoyed. In prior sets, the connector joints had to be assembled, while they've already come assembled here. It was never a gripe of mine, but man they'd kill my fingertips pushing them together. The other is the shoulder pads fit much better. I've popped off others very easily, while these snap on and stay put. I guess they've adjusted the connections. The upper body of the figures frame has some adjustments too. Now the ball joint for the heads is molded in and there's some additional peg holes in the body that the armor bits have additional pegs to insert into. I've never complained about the fit before, but it feels much more solid now. B-127 is like an action figure I bought already assembled from the factory as opposed to a small model kit.

Of course he has the standard open and closed hands you expect and a laser pistol to hold with them. The base is present, though the additional Autobot and Decepticon symbols are gone. Oh well. B-127 looks great. I've always liked yellow and black colors together. They really pop on the cool sculpting that's unmistakably Bumblebee before coming to Earth. While Bumblebee has always been a cute character, this figure is downright adorable. The signature Blokees visual just blends so well with the TF One aesthetic. This just might be a perfect meeting of the two styles. I mentioned Megaman X up above... but yeah, they feel a little out of that universe. B-127 is a completely pleasurable kit that I was happy to build and being the general admiration for Bumblebee around the site... the perfect starting point for another case of Blokees posts.

Hot Rod and Bumblebee [Swapticons]

It's time we look at the newest 'silly' Transformers line from Hasbro called Transformers Swapticons. Swapticons are a new line of smaller, simpler Transformers obviously intended for younger children, yet being enjoyed by a middle aged robot nerd.

These fall in line with other silly, but fun lines like Q Transformers, Kre-O, Bot Shots, and BotBots that I've enjoyed in addition to my 'serious' Transformers. Swapticons are similar to Micromaster Combiners in that an individual figure makes up one half of an alt mode. You combine 2 for a full vehicle or animal. These little bots are chunky little blocky guys with extremely simple transformations. Combination into alt mode is done by interlocking the robot heads together. The fun part is in the variety, you can get creative and stick any 2 Swapticons together. The silliness is played up as the characters have BotBot style silly faces.

Now that we've spent all that time explaining a silly toy, let's take a look at Hot Rod and Bumblebee. The main figures come in 2 packs for not a lot of money. As you can tell by this pack, they tend to be good pairings. I really like Hot Rod, the little blocky body really works well with his traditional looks. It's just a solid little representation. Of course his wacky face give it a bit of goofy characterization... but it works pretty well. Articulation on these guys is basic to put it mildly. They have little simple fold out arms that are just enough to express that they are arms. The toy is in the gimmick more so than the figure.

Bumblebee looks pretty good too, though I admit some of his detail is lost in all the yellow. He's your standard Evergreen Bumblebee. There's nothing wrong with that, it's just that Hot Rod looks so much more detailed next to him. They're a solid duo regardless and their combined vehicle mode is pretty cool. Hot Rod forms the rear end with Bumblebee becoming the front. It's a neat looking combination of the two. I'm really having fun with Swapticons so far. Right now I have no complaints... though like with other smaller toys... I wish they came with a sticker. A Bikkuriman style sticker would go perfectly with these little bots. Regardless of my endless fascination with autocollants, these are great.  I look forward to filling a shoe box with these silly little bots.

Bumblebee [Galaxy Version 03 The Autobot Run]

Everyone's favorite little yellow buddy is back in Blokee form as we look at Bumblebee today! Pleasantly, he's a little more extra than you'd assume going in. For starters, as a Blokeee, he comes with the standard 2 sets of hands... but Bumblebee has an additional thumbs up hand for positive encouragement. He has his pistol, which you'd expect... but there's also a blast effect that attaches to the barrel. He's got an Energon Cube, which I love, and a communicator that can plug into his forearm that displays Spike. I guess they're talking about stuff.

Of course he's got the standard display stand with symbols, but you won't be plugging the standard feet into it. Nope. Bumblebee has some custom boots! The front of his Volkswagen car mode forms those traditional BB feet and that's replicated here making for one fairly show accurate kit! The cute style of a Blokee really works with Bumblebee's design making for a great little figure when fully assembled. For such a little guy, he's a big deal. So much so that even his Blokee is extra!

Gamer Edition Bumblebee [Studio Series/Deluxe Class]

Transformers: Reactivate is a video game that will allegedly come out at some point. That point is probably never, but allegedly should come out at some point maybe. Fortunately Hasbro released figures based on the game on a time table that possibly included a time that the game was promised to come out... but didn't. The figures were initially released in two packs that I passed on, but are now also being released as Gamer Edition Studio Series. I decided to get them now, because they look cool... despite being tied to vaporware. Bumblebee takes a somewhat new look at the classic character as he might have appeared in the game if it ever comes out. It's not going to, but if it did, this is what he'd look like. Maybe. Part of me thinks in an alternate universe, this could have been a live action movie design for Bumblebee.

Bumblebee is a realistic sci fi take on his classic look that looks pretty neat even with those tiny pistols he's packing. Those same pistols can be mounted on his shoulders as well. Robot mode is fairly articulated and looks bigger in pictures than in real life. I say this because I swore it was a larger toy prior to getting one. Alt mode is a sporty dune buggy type vehicle. I like this quite a bit. It manages to resemble the classic Volkswagen vehicle form while being something else. This is a completely solid alternative to the Bug. I recall thinking Bumblebee should be a dune buggy before and having one is great. It just works. Transformation isn't terrible hard, but is pretty involved. There's a few parts you have to really work into place and it's not clear how to do so until you've got it. Once transformed it's a solid car and those guns I spoke about earlier can either store in his undercarriage or mount on his hood (it's the same joints as the shoulders in robot mode). I liked this toy more than I thought I would. It's been funny laughing at the games failure to launch and the fact that there's figures from a game that might never see the light of day. Though the designs are cool and I'm looking forward to getting the others when they find their way out in Studio Series.

Bumblebee [Studio Series/Deluxe Class]

We're all Bumblebee fans here on the base and love it when he gets a new toy... which is very often. Today's toy is from Transformers Studio Series 86 and meant to represent him as he appeared in the 1986 animated movie. I've been a fan of the Studio Series 86 toys as they're very screen accurate figures of the original cartoon cast. Bumblebee is a bit of an anomaly in this isn't Volkswagen licensed, so while his robot mode is show accurate. His vehicle mode is a close approximation. That's ok though as the car has the same proportions as the original Microman/G1 toy which was mean to resemble a penny racer. That's really neat!

As I said, BB is very show accurate in robot mode. He's also pretty short, which means he'll be close to scale with other Studio Series 86 and more recent Generations figures. There's plenty of articulation and includes the laser we've seen used in various episodes of the classic series. That laser can mount to the back of his car mode for storage. Kinda like a little gun rack. Transformation isn't what I thought it would be. Sure, the expected car bot steps were there... but there was some unexpected additional folding. Bumblebee compresses down quite a bit creating a surprisingly solid feeling compact little car. Like I said before, it's an approximation of his classic VW Bug this time. That's not too bad as it has the cues you'd expect... just not as round. I do like the penny racer proportions and can see where other Minibots made from this mold will probably come out pretty good. This is a great new Bumblebee figure. I can understand how the vehicle mode might turn off some, but I've really enjoyed him. Guess I just like a good penny racer.

Bumblebee/B-127 [Transformers One/Prime Changers]

I wasn't expecting to like this new Prime Changer Bumblebee toy as much as I did, but here I am about to tell you how much I liked it. As previously said, Prime Changers are slightly lesser class than a Deluxe for a slightly lower price. I say that knowing that the Deluxe Studio Series version of this Bumblebee will be more complex. However, in hand, this toy feels like a Deluxe. Aside from some slightly hollowed out parts... Bee feels like a much nicer figure than he's supposed to be. That's pretty impressive and once again makes me compare the Prime Changers size class to the Warrior Class of Robots in Disguise 2015. Many of those felt so much like a Deluxe Class that I often wondered if some of the classes were mislabeled.

This toy represents Bumblebee as he appears in the movie Transformers One. As of this writing, I haven't seen the movie yet, but thanks to the trailers know that the main cast are not able to transform until they receive Transformation Cogs. A Transformation Cog is a component of a Transformers body that is essential to their ability to transform. It was first introduced in the original cartoon series during the third season. Since then, they've made sporadic appearances in Transformers media, but seem to be returning in Transformers One as trailers and marketing material have clearly pointed out. You can flip up Bumblebee's chest to take a look at his Cog. That's a neat little addition they really didn't have to do, but did anyway.

Bee comes with some weapons as well. Included is a snap on energy blade and blaster that resembles the 'Mega Buster' style gun his arms form in the movies. Either weapon can be attached to either hand or combined together. In robot mode, Bee is fairly articulated with a good range of movement. To my understanding, there is ankle tilts that don't work thanks to a design flaw. I didn't really notice it, but am sure that'll drive some folks crazy. Bumblebee transforms into a sporty Cybertronian car that looks pretty neat. The transformation is mostly easy, though I found a few spots a little tough to work. I'm not sure if that's from another design flaw making things a little tight or just not doing things in either the correct order or being a little clumsy. The weapons can attach to the cars roof. Like I said at the beginning, I like this toy a lot. I'm not sure how well it translates in the pictures here, but there's a nice almost pearlescent sheen to the yellow colors and the figure is overall pleasant. He's oddly satisfying in hand in a way that I can't quite describe other than he's just a good Transformers toy. Admittedly, I'm generally a fan of Bumblebee and look forward to new toys of him as is... but was very pleasantly surprised by how much I ended up liking this one from One.

Bumblebee [AMK Mini Series]

Since 2007, we're all used to Bumblebee being one of the main characters in Transformers. Before that, however, the Autobots little buddy often served a a bridging character so kids watching could relate to the characters on screen. He was often paired with Spike in little wacky adventures. This Yolopark AMK mini model of him really captures the look of Bee from the old cartoon really well. Those screen accurate looks combine with great articulation resulting on one pleasant representation of Bumblebee. Like other Yolopark AMK Minis, he has 3 sets of hands. Open palm, pointing fingers, and closed fists that can hold his laser pistol. These models snap together really easily and it just took a few minutes to get Bee assembled.

I'm really impressed with the proportions of this kit. Bumblebee is a small guy, but those feet are pretty substantial. That's sometimes downplayed in various figures. Not so much here, these feet are satisfyingly large. This is all around a great AMK kit.

Concept Art Sunstreaker (Studio Series/Deluxe Class)

I've got a soft spot in my heart for Sunstreaker. He's one of the original cast of Transformers whose Diaclone toy roots as No.1 Countach LP500S/Diakron DK-1 were the first numbered of the Car Robots series. These are the toy molds that make up a good number of the initial Transformers toy line. It's just neat that Suntreaker's original toy was the first of it's series. I've always liked his design and found it pretty striking and unfortunate that he's not updated as often as other classic characters. This newer figure of Sunstreaker is one of the really cool Concept Art based figures in Studio Series. While not appearing in the Bumblebee movie, there was designs for him in that initial opening scene that we all love.

I personally think Sunstreaker looks awesome in this toy and think it would pair really well with the Siege Sideswipe. It kinda feels like a lost Siege design more so than an unused movie design. Considering the Bumblebee movie and Siege were probably being worked on around the same time, that's probably not super coincidental. He comes with two blasters. They can be held or one can he stored on his back. The blasters can be combined which looks great in alt mode, though they can be placed on the car individually as well. The blasters are a double barrelled design that matches his Cybertronian look well. Sunstreaker is fairly articulated, but his large shoulder pads can get in the way. Fortunately they can be adjusted some.

Transformation to car mode was fairly easy for me. I understand there's a common mis-assembly on the hood pieces that I didn't notice on mine. Either I lucked out or just didn't notice. Alt mode is a Cybertronian car similar to Sunstreaker's Lamborghini Countach. It's a very neat car and I really appreciate the trademark yellow colors. There's a late 80's to mid 90's anime vibe to this design I can't quite put my finger on. I feel like I've seen artwork of him printed in black and white in a game manual or magazine somewhere. It's probably just me, but I like those vibes. Sunstreaker is a cool figure that I like quite a bit. These Concept Art Studio Series releases are really neat and the idea is a lot of fun.

Bumblebee (Legacy United/Deluxe Class)

Following up on the Animated Prowl figure from Legacy Evolution is this new Animated Bumblebee figure from Legacy United. Following the Legacy/Generations formula of working characters from stylized figures into a more traditional Transformers appearance while keeping those unique characteristics- Bumblebee looks great. The original Animated Bumblebee was also a deluxe class figure, but much larger. Not just because Transformers in general were larger back then. The figure was in similar scale to other deluxe figures. This newer toy is much smaller putting him in scale with the other Legacy Animated updates. Being so small is bound to upset some as he's sold as a Deluxe Class figure

My only guess is that due to his engineering and accessories he still fits the weight that a deluxe sized figure would meet to ship in those cases. It's definitely not a Core Class. Bumblebee is short, which matches his onscreen character. Though, he isn't lacking by any means. Coming with his stingers and rocket boosters, this little buddy packs a wallop. The rocket boosters of course mount on his car mode for the extra speed, or on his back in robot mode. The stingers can attach on his hands as they did on the show or on the boosters creating a more traditional looking weapon, which is what I did. The stingers can also store on the back the rockets in vehicle mode simulating the propulsion from said boosters. They're neat accessories. In robot mode, Bumblebee is a very neat little bot. He's got quite a bit of articulation and a lot of personality thanks to his characterful sculpt. In Animated, Bumblebee was quite the little shit. That's reflected very well here while still fitting in next to other recent Generations figures. 

Transformation is pretty easy. He transforms mostly how you'd expect with a little variation. The way his arms fold up I found pretty creative. The shoulders are his rear wheel, while the car doors are on his forearms. The way it all connects and folds up creating running boards was pretty neat. I'm not saying they reinvented the wheel, just saying it was pleasant. I don't put much focus into transformation (it's pretty utilitarian for me), so when somethings unique, it's really appreciated. In Animated Bumblebee turned into a sporty hatchback. This was a often used alt mode used in place of a Volkswagen Bug during the time. Always thought it looked cool and still do. I've always liked hatchbacks, owned a few myself. The car is great in this update and those rockets look cool. Animated was a lot of fun while it was going. I have fond memories of that preview wave of the figures at select Walmarts during Botcon 2008. So many of us left the con to brave uncharted territoy tin search of figures in a time where GPS wasn't as common. These new Legacy updates are very welcome and Bumblebee is a pretty popular guy around this site. It's good to have another around.

Concept Art Decepticon Rumble (Studio Series/Core Class)

I've been a pretty big fan of the Bumblebee movie since it's release, which isn't a secret on this site. Even for those who weren't a fan of that movie, almost everyone LOVED the opening sequence. It's literally what Transformers fans wanted ever since the live action movies were announced. The various designs from that sequence have found their way to toy form as individual Studio Series releases to much popularity. Following suit, toys based on the Concept Art for that scene have begun seeing the light of day in Studio Series starting with Rumble. We'll be taking a look at him today. 

Yes, he's blue.

This time.

Rumble is a very cool little toy. When I say little, I mean it. He's tiny. Which is what you'd expect for a a cassette bot, but it does throw one off initially. Rumble is about the same size as the Studio Series 86 version of Rumble/Frenzy and matches with the Studio Series Core Class Ravage from a few years ago (I don't think I ever covered him here). Like that Ravage, he also works as a data cartridge type thing that the matching Studio Series Soundwave toy (whom I also don't think was covered here) can carry in his chest ala G1. The alt mode can also be a sort of flight mode I assume, it does look like one of the entry mode from from the 2007 movie preview toys. As a robot, Rumble is pretty sharp looking. He's this small little robot with his famous pile driver piston arms. Unlike the Studio Series 86 version, those do not convert into regular arms. In true live action movie fashion, his arms are just weapons. Rumble's head is fairly traditional although sporting a mouth plate as opposed to his normally open face. It really fits his overall look here and kinda makes him look like a Combaticon. Considering the brutality of the live action movie series... it fits.

Rumble looks like he's out to cause as much destruction as possible for such a little shit. Like Ravage, he also comes with guns that he doesn't personally wield. They store on his back which gives him a slightly traditional appearance, however cannot be held by Rumble himself (aside from alt mode storage). Instead, and also like the gun that comes with Ravage, it's a weapon for Soundwave. The two pieces can be combined and form another gun. I like how both Ravage and Rumble are effectively upgrade kits for Soundwave and wonder if a gift set containing them all will be released. Maybe a Soundblaster version. Rumble is very articulated for such a little guy. It's likely due to his transformation, but not complaining. I was very happy to see Rumble in the Easter Basket given to me by the Mrs and am very pleased with him overall. He's a cool little toy that interacts with another cool toy. What's not to like about that?

Bumblebee (Studio Series/Core Class)

Prior to the Bumblebee movie and Rise of the Beasts, Dark of the Moon was my favorite of the live action Transformers films. This new Core Class Bumblebee is meant to represent BB from that film at the smaller, Core Class size. Another Christmas gift from the Mrs (she really spoils me), Bumblebee is a retool and repaint of the DOTM Laserbeak toy released a little while back. I have that figure, but haven't gotten around to opening it yet. So this is my first experience with it. While I've got plenty of Bumblebee figures, each one tends to be it's own thing (usually) and this little guy gives me a mix of Microman Masterforce and Legend/Legion/Speed versions of BB vibes. He's a  really neat little figure.

Being a movie Bumblebee, he of course transforms into a Camaro. Unless it's his solo movie... yeah. Transformation isn't hard, though there's not a lot of extra room for movement. I found myself having to maneuver things just right to get them into place. The car is solid once transformed though. It's been pointed out that there's some slots around the rear bumper that aren't used. This is likely either from unused accessories still being in the CAD model OR some of the CAD model from other toys being used while engineering this figure. I always find little carry overs from the design process interesting. Bumblebee has a small cannon that can either be hold or mounted on the roof of the car mode. It's a neat little weapon that resembles the weapon his forearm converts into in the movies. I mentioned the lack of extra room when transforming, that carries over to robot mode. BB has a fair range of articulation, but you'll have to mind the kibble as it can get in the way. It's not a deal breaker, but is impossible to ignore. It really makes me think older CAD models were downsized to make this figure as there's definitely some sticking points that may not have been there at a larger size. I like how his head sculpt features his battle mask down. With the amount of toys movie Bumblebee gets, the variety is nice. That and it looks cool. A much harder looking Bee. This is a fun little figure that's a neat little Core Class toy. The left over design elements are fun to ponder over and it's a cool little toy of a character I like a lot. Not going to complain about that.

These Blind Boxes are Way Cool

You all know I love blind boxes and the newer movie designs (and something about Transformers too). These are super awesome and I LOVE the alternate Shattered Glass versions. Hope I can score some in the future. REALLY like that Goldbug.